Hyperloop, the Sela Tunnel and the new wave of lesbian cinema
#310 Outriders Magazine
The new wave of lesbian cinema and harassment in European film and music
Film critics have praised the latest wave of lesbian cinema as shameless, funny, amoral, and filled with sexuality. This genre includes films such as the romantic thriller "Love Lies Bleeding", the road movie "Drive-Away Dolls", "Bottoms", a buddy comedy set in high school, and "Blue Jean", a film about a lesbian PE teacher in the 1980s. These films not only explore the lives of lesbians but also offer a captivating and adventurous queer journey that puts queer people at the centre.
The French film industry is currently facing allegations of sexual harassment. In 2017, the #MeToo movement was met with reluctance and even hostility in France. However, a turning point was reached when a documentary was released last December that showed actor Gérard Depardieu making sexist insults (including towards a child) and behaving inappropriately towards women. Since then, more actresses have come forward to talk about rape and sexual harassment in the French film industry.
A report by Help Musicians and Musicians' Union has revealed that 33% of British female musicians have experienced sexual harassment in the music industry. More than half of women in the industry have experienced gender discrimination at work, and they are more than eight times as likely to experience it as their male colleagues. Despite being better educated than their male counterparts, women in the industry earn less, especially if they come from ethnic minorities or struggle with disabilities.
E-crimes in e-business and ways to fight e-fraud
Counterfeiting products and selling them on the Internet violates the interests of both large companies and small entrepreneurs. Dishonest companies often operate from abroad and steal original product ideas to sell their own versions of the products. According to lawyer Faye McConnell, this issue has been growing since the pandemic and the e-commerce boom. Counterfeit goods are often low-quality and linked to organised crime. Workers producing them may also be forced to work in poor conditions.
Last year, reports of shipping fraud in the US increased more than fourfold compared to 2020, according to data from CargoNet, a cargo theft prevention and recovery network. As digital loading platforms continue to evolve, making online brokerage transactions faster and easier, criminals often operate from abroad and steal large amounts of high-value goods. Recently, a cyber gang intercepted a refrigerated container carrying Danone yoghurts to Florida, redirected it to another unloading point, and demanded a ransom of USD 40,000.
Scientists from the University at Buffalo are leading the fight against deepfake technology, which is increasingly used for business fraud. They are developing algorithms that automatically identify and disclose deepfake technology. These algorithms have been trained to detect slight differences, such as eyes not looking in the right direction or a lack of signs of breathing in artificially produced voices. Their research aims to prevent business fraud and safeguard other areas, such as video conferencing, from deepfake technology.
The strategic Sela tunnel in India and the Sino-Philippine disputes
In March of this year, Indian authorities opened the Sela Tunnel, a critical project in mountainous terrain at almost 4,000 metres above sea level. The tunnel will allow India to move troops safely and improve all-weather communication with the Tawang region in Arunachal Pradesh, disputed with China. The Chinese authorities consider this state part of "southern Tibet". The Sela Tunnel is part of the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang road, which runs for 300 km on the Indian side of the border. For years, the Sela Pass has been closed during winter due to heavy snowfall, severely restricting access to Tawang.
As part of the Sankalp maritime security operation, which aims to counter Houthi attacks on merchant ships, India has deployed eight submarines in the Arabian Sea. The United States defence partner's exercises have been ongoing for approximately 100 days, during which they managed to rescue a Barbados-flagged merchant ship and the crew of a hijacked Liberian-flagged ship. The Chinese military has called the Indian Navy's rescue missions in the Red Sea a publicity stunt.
The Philippines summoned a representative of the Chinese authorities over an incident in the South China Sea. Chinese coast guard units attacked a Philippine merchant ship using water cannons. The confrontation near Second Thomas Shoal left three soldiers injured and a Filipino ship severely damaged. Second Thomas Shoal is the site of repeated confrontations between Chinese and Filipino ships.
Super-efficient photovoltaics and green energy batteries
Electricity suppliers in the US are incorporating lithium-ion batteries into solar and wind projects to store electricity in large quantities. These batteries are designed to maintain a steady flow of electricity even when there is no wind or sun. The US is the second-largest electricity storage market in the world after China. The total capacity of American warehouses is enough to power 2 million households for one day.
In 2023, over 97% of solar panels installed in Europe were manufactured outside the continent, with the vast majority being made in China. Low energy costs and government support keep Chinese prices low. A decade ago, Germany was the world leader in solar panel production. However, local producers who survived the fierce competition with Chinese manufacturers are now calling for protectionist state policies in response to Chinese panels' low prices and the US's imposition of higher customs duties, which has resulted in a rise in Chinese panels' inflow into the European market.
Sunmaxx, a German company that produces solar panels, is competing with Chinese manufacturers by increasing the panels' efficiency from the standard 20% to approximately 80% through a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system. This technology allows the module to generate electricity and heat from solar energy, which can be used to power buildings and heat water.
Landslides, floods and climate change
Due to climate change, the Mekong Delta is one of the most vulnerable areas in the world. The rainy season brings more floods, while the dry season brings more droughts. Farming is becoming increasingly challenging due to the loss of land, rising sea levels, and water loss from upstream dams. As a result, many of the 17 million delta inhabitants are considering moving to cities. The Vietnamese authorities are testing new agricultural technologies, creating more fishing grounds, promoting fruit cultivation, and building airports and highways to attract foreign investments to the delta.
Between 2007 and 2020, the ground beneath New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk, Virginia, sank by 1 to 2 mm per year, while in Charleston, South Carolina, it sank by as much as 4 mm per year. This subsidence is linked to groundwater, natural gas extraction, and the weight of buildings pressing into soft ground. It increases the risk of flooding from rising sea levels.
According to scientists, the construction of a dam in Iran contributed to a landslide that destroyed Hoseynabad-e Kalpush village in the spring of 2019. The water accumulation in the dam raised the local groundwater level, making the soil on the nearby slope more mobile. As a result, the old landslide was reactivated. In Germany, the extraction of sand from the seabed to rebuild the coastline after winter is damaging underwater life and disturbing nesting places for birds and other animals. In the long term, this practice increases the likelihood of coastal erosion and landslides, which are already increasing due to climate change.
Sustainable living: second-hand fashion, 3D wood and new EU regulations
Wood processing generates a significant amount of waste each year. In the USA, 18 million tonnes of waste are produced annually, out of which over 12 million tonnes end up in landfills. However, researchers have discovered a way to repurpose some of this waste into "wooden ink", which can be used to 3D print furniture, architectural elements, and other objects. The material processed this way looks, feels, and smells like natural wood.
The GlobalData report shows that used clothing sales have increased by 18% to USD 197 billion worldwide in the past year. It is expected that by 2025, used clothing sales will account for 10% of the global fashion market due to the rising cost of living and consumers' focus on sustainability. Over half of all buyers have purchased second-hand items in the past year. The younger generation, in particular, is attracted to the convenience of buying second-hand items on digital platforms like Vinted, Depop, and ThredUp.
New, stricter regulations by the European Union require both the sending and receiving countries' governments to approve waste shipments between EU countries. These regulations aim to facilitate and accelerate waste recycling procedures. Currently, only 46% of waste in the EU is recycled. According to the United Nations, electronic waste is increasing five times faster than documented recycling. There are over 880 million unused electronic items in British homes alone.
Hyperloop, AI financial advisor and "internet" record
A European test centre for Hyperloop, a futuristic transport technology based on capsules moving at around 700 km/h through reduced-pressure tunnels, has been opened in Veendam, the Netherlands. The 420-metre-long tunnel will serve as a space for developing this technology over the next few years. The centre's director, Sascha Lamme, expects that by 2030, the first Hyperloop route, which may be 5 km long, will be built to transport passengers.
Investment management platforms that rely on algorithms for minimal human involvement are becoming popular. Artificial intelligence can comprehensively analyse market conditions and recommend optimal investment strategies based on it. The absence of human input reduces the risk of errors. It is estimated that artificial intelligence will manage USD 1.4 trillion by the end of this year.
Scientists have set a new world record for internet speeds of 301 Tbps using standard optical fibre. To put this into perspective, at this speed, it would take only one minute to download all the movies in the IMDb online database. According to the Ofcom report from September last year, the average broadband speed in the UK is 69.4Mbps.
Gender inequalities at work and the men's Garrick Club
According to a survey by human resources consulting company Robert Half International Inc., 37% of women and 32% of men expressed dissatisfaction with their professional careers. Ally Nathaniel, owner of Soul Staffing Solutions, believes that the workplace was not designed with women's needs in mind and still largely operates according to the same standards as when it was built by men for men. This doesn't always meet the requirements of women. Another report by consulting company Robert Walters found that 40% of women feel underpaid for their work, compared to 24% of men.
In a survey of American employees conducted this winter, 64% of respondents said that a raise or bonus would energise them and make them more satisfied. 43% said they would like the opportunity to develop their careers with their employers, while 18% admitted to actively searching for a new job.
The Garrick Club, founded in London's West End in 1831, only admits men as members, which has caused controversy in British society. The club is not subject to sanctions under the Human Rights Act as a private organisation. Women can enter the club by invitation of club members, but some areas in the building are off-limits to them. A survey conducted among club members found that 51% of members favoured admitting female members, while 44% were against it. A two-thirds majority in the vote is necessary to change the organisation's operating principles.